Football Headline

Saturday October 14, 2000The Gators defeat the Auburn Tigers 38-7.

The 10th ranked Florida Gators scored on their first five possessions and
defeated the 19th ranked Auburn Tigers 38-7 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
on Saturday.

Quarterback Rex Grossman threw five touchdown passes in the
first half - three to Jabar Gaffney. Gaffney now has 10 touchdown catches on the season to set a new SEC freshman record. Grossman was 14-for-23 passing and threw for 232 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

The Gators took advantage of an Auburn miscue on its opening drive to score early. On fourth down, Auburn tried to throw a pass out of punt formation deep in their own territory, but it fell incomplete. Florida took advantage of the miscue and Grossman hit Reche Caldwell with the first of his five touchdown strikes.

Gator head coach Steve Spurrier was thrilled with the fast start. "It was a fabulous, fantastic first five possessions," said Spurrier during his postgame radio interview. "We got a couple of turnovers and it didn't take long. I think we had 35 points and there was still six minutes left till the half. It was a good solid victory. Our defense played well."

Safety Todd Johnson, who picked off his third pass of the season to set up a touchdown, said the defense is giving defensive coordinator Jon Hoke what he wants. "Coach Hoke preaches it, you know, every week we've got to get turnovers. We've got to force them off the field and a little bit of it is luck. You've got to be lucky."

The Gators have now forced 24 turnovers this season. Auburn's Rudi Johnson rushed 22 times for 133 yards.

Florida improved to 6-1 and 4-1 in the SEC. Auburn slipped to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC. Florida will play border rival Georgia on Saturday October 28th in Jacksonville.